Isuzu Impulse History

Sports car · 1983–1992

Sample hero image — replace with real model photography.

History

The Impulse debuted in the US for 1983 as the American name for the Isuzu Piazza, a rear-wheel-drive sport coupe penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. With pop-up headlights and clean lines, it brought genuine European-sports-car styling to a modest Japanese platform. A turbocharged 140-hp version arrived for 1985.

A second generation arrived for the 1990 model year, switching to front-wheel drive (with all-wheel drive on the Impulse RS). The 1991 RS was a notable performer — a 160-hp turbocharged AWD coupe with Lotus-tuned suspension — but low volume (fewer than 13,000 second-generation US Impulses and Stylus combined) kept it obscure. The Impulse was discontinued after the 1992 model year.

Generations

First generation (Piazza) · JR130 (1983–1989)

Giugiaro-designed rear-drive sport coupe; turbo 140-hp version added for 1985. Source: Wikipedia 'Isuzu Piazza'.
- 1986
  Photo: “File:1986 Isuzu Impulse.jpg” by DestinationFearFan / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1987
  Photo: “File:1987 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo in Pure White, front left, 11-05-2022.jpg” by Cutlass / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · UE (1990–1992)

Front-drive base with AWD Impulse RS (160-hp turbo, Lotus suspension) — rare and now collectible.
- 1990
  Photo: “File:'90 Isuzu Impulse.jpg” by Bull-Doser / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain . Cropped to 16:9.
- 1991
  Photo: “File:1991 Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo (4893531287).jpg” by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.